Grooved, corner-ready wall base

ABSTRACT

A resilient wall base member manufactured with pre-scored grooves to allow relatively short, straight lengths to be used for both flat walls and wall corner junctures without on site scoring operations or equipment. The lengths can either be pre-cut during manufacturing to convenient lengths or can be cut after manufacturing from coils.

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/867,680 filed on Oct. 4, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to resilient wall base, specifically to resilientwall base members manufactured with pre-scored grooves to allowrelatively short, straight lengths to be used for both flat walls andwall corner junctures without on site scoring operations or equipment.The lengths can either be pre-cut during manufacturing to convenientlengths or can be cut after manufacturing from coils.

Resilient wall base is a low-cost product that hides otherwise unsightlyintersections between walls and floors and protects the lower wallsurface from vacuums and other cleaning equipment. Resilient wall basehas been manufactured in both relatively short lengths, flat and stackedfor transport, and relatively long coiled lengths. Various types ofthermoplastic and thermoset compounds are employed as base materials inthe manufacture of resilient wall base. Resilient wall base ispreferable to rigid materials, such as wood or composites, because ofits flexibility. This flexibility allows the resilient wall base to beclosely fit to irregular wall surfaces and can be taken advantage of to“wrap” corners with the product.

Straight wall sections are covered by simply gluing the resilient wallbase to the wall. With conventional resilient wall base, both inside andoutside corners of a room require either additional preparation of thematerial or the use of manufactured L-shaped corner sections. Thestraight resilient wall base will not “wrap” flush around a 90-degreewall juncture because of the stiffness and thickness of the resilientwall base material.

The L-shaped corner section is the only commercially-produced solution.Corner sections allow the installer to place a manufactured 90-degreecorner piece and simply join straight sections of resilient wall base toeach end. Corners sections are typically molded (in the case ofthermoset material) or heated and formed (in the case of thermoplasticmaterial). Corner sections are typically sold and packaged separatelyfrom each other and from the straight wall sections or coiled lengths ofresilient wall base. Corner sections are several times more expensiveper foot than the straight wall sections used for the rest of the walls.The corner sections and straight wall section may also be mismatched inboth cross-sectional thickness and color because they may not have beenmade from the same production batch of material.

A more common practice is to use the straight wall sections to makecorners on site in the field. There are two common methods. The firstrequires heat forming equipment designed for the purpose of makingcorner sections, which in turn requires a substantial investment in theequipment. This method is inherently inefficient due to the necessity ofadjusting the equipment depending on the type of material being used.This method does not work well with thermoset compounds becausethermoset compounds do not soften substantially when heated.

The most common method of producing a corner section on site is to cutaway a portion of the material from the inner face, or back, of thestraight wall section with a knife or specialized scoring tool. Thisrequires practice and skill and additional time to complete. If thegroove is cut too shallow, the resilient wall base will not be flush atthe corner wall juncture. If the groove is cut too deep, the materialcan separate before installation or after, resulting in an imperfectcorner, a wasted length of resilient wall base, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first advantage of the present invention is to provide a wall basemember that saves the cost of pre-manufactured corners.

A second advantage of the present invention is to provide a wall basemember where every length can be used as a straight section, cornersection or, effectively, both.

A third advantage of the present invention is that the pre-scoredgrooves are made in a controlled manufacturing environment and are not,therefore, subject to the same variations as on-site scoring, which canresult in grooves that are either too shallow or too deep. Grooves thatare too shallow result in ill-fitting corner sections, while groovesthat are too deep can crack over time. On-site scoring mistakes can alsoresult in simply cutting through the wall base member.

A fourth advantage of the present invention is that it savesinstallation time and, therefore, cost by eliminating on-site scoring.

A fifth advantage of the present invention is that corner sections canbe guaranteed to match straight sections in profile and color becausecorner sections and straight sections are one and the same.

A sixth advantage of the present invention is that no pre-planning ofcorners is required before purchasing wall base materials.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1A is an outside perspective view of a wall base member of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is an inside perspective view of a wall base member of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a wall base member of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of a wall base member of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a wall base member of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention applied to a convex 90-degree corner between two portion of awall and an adjacent wall base member of the present invention appliedto a flat portion of a wall, the adjacent wall base member showingpre-scored grooves with flat side and with curved sides.

FIG. 7B is a top plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention applied to a concave 90-degree corner between two portion of awall and an adjacent wall base member of the present invention appliedto a flat portion of a wall, the adjacent wall base member showingpre-scored grooves with flat side and with curved sides.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a section of a wall base member of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of a section of a wall base member ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of the section of a wall base member ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11A is a front perspective view of a wall base member of thepresent invention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree anglebetween adjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 11B is a back perspective view of a wall base member of the presentinvention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree angle betweenadjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 12 is a front and side elevation view of a wall base member of thepresent invention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree anglebetween adjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree angle betweenadjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 14 is a back and side elevation view of a wall base member of thepresent invention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree anglebetween adjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree angle betweenadjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 16A is a front perspective view of a wall base member of thepresent invention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 90-degree anglebetween adjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 16B is a back perspective view of a wall base member of the presentinvention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 90-degree angle betweenadjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 17 is a front and side elevation view of a wall base member of thepresent invention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 90-degree anglebetween adjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 90-degree angle betweenadjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 19 is a back and side elevation view of a wall base member of thepresent invention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 90-degree anglebetween adjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of a wall base member of the presentinvention, bent at the pre-scored groove to a 270-degree angle betweenadjacent portions of the inner face.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a wall base member of the presentinvention being extruded along an extrusion vector, and pre-scored byboth a router and an endmill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At its most basic, the present invention is a wall base member 1comprising an elongated, flexible strip 2 having a top edge 3 and abottom edge 4, an inner face 5 and an outer face 6, and a pre-scoredgroove 7 in the inner face 5. The pre-scored groove 7 runs between andis substantially perpendicular to the top edge 3 and the bottom edge 4.The top edge 3 and the bottom edge 4 are substantially parallel. Thestrip 2 can be laid substantially flat on the inner face 5. The top andbottom edges 3 and 4 are preferably straight and parallel to each other.The strip 2 preferably also has a pair of end edges 25 that are straightand parallel to each other. Preferably, the end edges 25 aresubstantially shorter than the top and bottom edges 3 and 4, and aresubstantially orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 3 and 4. The innerface 5 of the strip 2 is the side that is placed against the wall 9 towhich the wall base member 1 is attached. The outer face 6 is theopposite side.

The pre-scored groove 7 preferably contacts no more than one of the topedge 3 and the bottom edge 4. Most preferably, the pre-scored groove 7contacts neither the top edge 3 nor the bottom edge 4.

Preferably, the inner face 5 is formed with a plurality of elongatedraised ribs 16 that are between and substantially parallel to the topedge 3 and the bottom edge 4. These ribs 16 are preferably less than amillimeter in height and width and run the full length of the strip 2.Their primary purpose is to increase the surface area to which adhesivescan bond, thereby increasing the strength of the attachment of the strip2.

The bottom edge 4 is preferably turned outward and downward in acompound curve so that the outer face 6 projects along the bottom edge 4and faces upward to form a toe 20. The toe 20 increases the size of thegap between the wall and floor that can be covered and hidden by thewall base member 1.

In one preferred embodiment, the pre-scored groove 7 preferably has flatsides 21 that converge. In the simplest form, the pre-scored groove 7 ofthis embodiment would have a V-shaped cross-section. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the pre-scored groove 7 has curved sides 21 thatconverge. In the simplest form, the pre-scored groove 7 of thisembodiment would have a semicircular or half-cylinder cross-section. Ina slightly more complex form of this embodiment, the pre-scored groove 7would have a U-shaped cross-section.

Although the wall base member 1 of the present invention can be formedby molding, the preferred method of forming a wall base member 1 is byextrusion. The method comprises the basic steps of extruding andsimultaneously scoring the strip 2. An elongated, flexible strip 2having a top edge 3 and a bottom edge 4, an inner face 5 and an outerface 6, is extruded along an extrusion vector 8. The top edge 3 and thebottom edge 4 are mutually substantially parallel and substantiallyparallel to the extrusion vector 8. Simultaneously, the strip 2 isscored to create a pre-scored groove 7 in the inner face 5 runningbetween and substantially perpendicular to the top edge 3 and the bottomedge 4.

The pre-scored groove 7 preferably contacts no more than one of the topedge 3 and the bottom edge 4. Most preferably, the pre-scored groove 7contacts neither the top edge 3 nor the bottom edge 4. Preferably, theinner face 5 is formed with a plurality of elongated raised ribs 16 thatare between and substantially parallel to the top edge 3 and the bottomedge 4. These ribs 16 are preferably less than a millimeter in heightand width and run the full length of the strip 2. Their primary purposeis to increase the surface area to which adhesives can bond, therebyincreasing the strength of the attachment of the strip 2. The bottomedge 4 is preferably coved to create a toe 20 so that the outer face 6projects along the bottom edge 4. The toe 20 increases the size of thegap between the wall and floor that can be covered and hidden by thewall base member 1.

Preferably, the pre-scored groove 7 is machined into the inner face 5.The pre-scored groove 7 is preferably machined with a router 18.Alternatively, the pre-scored groove 7 can be machined with an endmill19. Preferably, the wall base member 1 is formed primarily from athermoplastic material, preferably polyvinylchloride or PVC.Alternatively, the wall base member 1 can be formed primarily from athermoset material, preferably rubber. Other materials or composites ofother materials may prove suitable.

An alternative method of forming the wall base member 1 of the presentinvention comprises the steps of molding an elongated, flexible strip 2having a top edge 3 and a bottom edge 4, an inner face 5 and an outerface 6, and a pre-scored groove 7 in the inner face 5. The top edge 3and the bottom edge 4 are mutually substantially parallel. Thepre-scored groove 7 runs between and substantially perpendicular to thetop edge 3 and the bottom edge 4.

Again, the pre-scored groove 7 preferably contacts no more than one ofthe top edge 3 and the bottom edge 4. Most preferably, the pre-scoredgroove 7 contacts neither the top edge 3 nor the bottom edge 4.Preferably, the inner face 5 is formed with a plurality of elongatedraised ribs 16 that are between and substantially parallel to the topedge 3 and the bottom edge 4. These ribs 16 are preferably less than amillimeter in height and width and run the full length of the strip 2.Their primary purpose is to increase the surface area to which adhesivescan bond, thereby increasing the strength of the attachment of the strip2. The bottom edge 4 is preferably coved to create a toe 20 so that theouter face 6 projects along the bottom edge 4. The toe 20 increases thesize of the gap between the wall and floor that can be covered andhidden by the wall base member 1. Preferably, the molded wall basemember 1 is formed primarily from a thermoset material. Other materialsor composites of other materials may prove suitable.

Another alternative method of forming the wall base member 1 of thepresent invention comprises the steps of molding 8 an elongated,flexible strip 2 having a top edge 3 and a bottom edge 4, an inner face5 and an outer face 6, and scoring the strip 2 to create a pre-scoredgroove 7 in the inner face 5. The top edge 3 and the bottom edge 4 aremutually substantially parallel. The pre-scored groove runs between andsubstantially perpendicular to the top edge 3 and the bottom edge 4.

Once again, the pre-scored groove 7 preferably contacts no more than oneof the top edge 3 and the bottom edge 4. Most preferably, the pre-scoredgroove 7 contacts neither the top edge 3 nor the bottom edge 4.Preferably, the inner face 5 is formed with a plurality of elongatedraised ribs 16 that are between and substantially parallel to the topedge 3 and the bottom edge 4. These ribs 16 are preferably less than amillimeter in height and width and run the full length of the strip 2.Their primary purpose is to increase the surface area to which adhesivescan bond, thereby increasing the strength of the attachment of the strip2. The bottom edge 4 is preferably coved to create a toe 20 so that theouter face 6 projects along the bottom edge 4. The toe 20 increases thesize of the gap between the wall and floor that can be covered andhidden by the wall base member 1.

In this form of the molded wall base member 1, the pre-scored groove 7is preferably machined into the inner face 5. The pre-scored groove 7 ispreferably machined with a router 18. Alternatively, the pre-scoredgroove 7 can be machined with an endmill 19. Preferably, the wall basemember 1 is formed primarily from a thermoset material. Other materialsor composites of other materials may prove suitable.

The basic method of installing a first wall base member 1 according tothe present invention comprises the steps of selecting the wall basemember 1, selecting a portion of a wall 9 adjacent a portion of a floor10, where the wall 9 and the floor 10 form a juncture 11, orienting thewall base member 1 so that the bottom edge 4 is oriented toward to thefloor 10, the top edge 3 is oriented away from the floor 10, and boththe bottom edge 4 and the top edge 3 are substantially parallel to thejuncture 11, and adhering the wall base member 1 to the wall 9 so thatat least a portion of the bottom edge 4 is in contact with the floor 10.

Preferably, the wall base member 1 is adhered to the wall 9 with anadhesive 12. The adhesive 12 preferably flows into the pre-scored groove7. Preferably, the wall base member 1 is flat against the wall 9.

If the wall 9 includes a corner 13 having a substantially verticalelongated edge 14 that projects between two flat portions 24 of the wall9, the first wall base member 1 is horizontally aligned so that thepre-scored groove 7 interfaces with the edge 14 and the wall base member1 is bent at the groove 7 defining an angle 22 of less than 180 degreesbetween portions of the inner face 5 on either side of the groove 7.

In this case the method of installation preferably further comprises thefollowing steps. Selecting a second wall base member 1 identical to thefirst wall base member 1. Selecting a portion of a wall 9 adjacent thefirst wall base memberl and adjacent a portion of a floor 10, where thewall 9 and the floor 10 form a juncture 11. Orienting the second wallbase member 1 so that the bottom edge 4 is oriented toward to the floor10, the top edge 3 is oriented away from the floor 10, both the bottomedge 4 and the top edge 3 are substantially parallel to the juncture 11,and the second wall base member 1 contacts the first wall base member 1.Adhering the second wall base member 1 to only one of the portions 24 ofthe wall 9 so that at least a portion of the bottom edge 4 is in contactwith the floor 10 and the inner face 5 of the second wall base member 1is flat against the wall 9.

If the wall 9 includes a corner 13 having a substantially verticalelongated junction 15 between two flat portions 24 of the wall 9, thefirst wall base member 1 is horizontally aligned so that the pre-scoredgroove 7 interfaces with the junction 15 and the wall base member 1 isbent at the groove 7 defining an angle 22 of more than 180 degreesbetween portions of the inner face 5 on either side of the groove 7.

In this case the method of installation preferably further comprises thefollowing steps. Selecting a second wall base member 1 that is identicalto the first wall base member 1. Selecting a portion of a wall 9adjacent the first wall base memberl and adjacent a portion of a floor10, where the wall 9 and the floor 10 form a juncture 11. Orienting thesecond wall base member 1 so that the bottom edge 4 is oriented towardto the floor 10, the top edge 3 is oriented away from the floor 10, boththe bottom edge 4 and the top edge 3 are substantially parallel to thejuncture 11, and the second wall base member 1 contacts the first wallbase member 1. Adhering the second wall base member 1 to only one of theportions 24 of the wall 9 so that at least a portion of the bottom edge4 is in contact with the floor 10 and the inner face 5 of the secondwall base member 1 is flat against the wall 9.

Typically, the angle 22 is substantially equal to 270 degrees when theangle 22 is more than 180 degrees between portions of the inner face 5on either side of the groove 7. Preferably, a 90-degree section 23 ofthe wall base member 1 is cut out at the junction 15 to facilitatebending when the angle 22 is substantially equal to 270 degrees. Thebottom edge 4 is preferably coved to create a toe 20 so that the outerface 6 projects along the bottom edge 4 and the 90-degree section 23 ispreferably cut out of the toe 20.

The inner face 5 is preferably formed with a plurality of elongatedraised ribs 16 that are between and substantially parallel to the topedge 3 and the bottom edge 4, and the adhesive 12 bonds to and betweenthe ribs 16. Preferably, the bottom edge 4 is turned outward so that theouter face 6 projects along the bottom edge 4, covering a gap 17 at thejuncture 11. The adhesive 12 is preferably an acrylic adhesive.Preferably, the adhesive 12 is applied to the wall 9. The adhesive 12 ispreferably applied to the inner face 5.

The wall base member 1 is preferably manufactured in four differentheights: 2.5, 4.0, 6.0 and 10.0 inches, respectively. The preferredlength of each elongated, flexible strip 2 is 4 feet. The wall basemember 1 is also preferably manufactured and sold in one-piece rolls of100 or 120 feet. Preferably, each 4-foot strip 2 has one pre-scoredgroove 7, each roll of 100 feet has 25 pre-scored grooves 7, and eachroll of 120 feet has 30 pre-scored grooves 7. The preferred depth ofeach pre-scored groove 7 is 0.035 inches with a tolerance of plus orminus 0.005 inches. The standard thicknesses for wall base member 1 are0.080 and 0.125 inches. The toe 20 preferably has a compound curve. Ifthe wall base member 1 is manufactured from thermoplastic vinyl orthermoplastic rubber, the larger upper radius of the compound curve ispreferably 0.310 inches and the smaller lower radius is preferably 0.094inches. If the wall base member 1 is manufactured from thermoset rubber,the larger upper radius of the compound curve is preferably 0.246 inchesand the smaller lower radius is preferably 0.215 inches. If the wallbase member 1 is manufactured from thermoplastic vinyl or thermoplasticrubber, the toe 20 is 0.500 inches in height and 0.500 inches in depth.If the wall base member 1 is manufactured from thermoset rubber, the toe20 is 0.287 inches in height and 0.552 inches in depth. The wall basemember 1 preferably tapers toward the top edge 3; the taper ispreferably curved. If the wall base member 1 is manufactured fromthermoplastic vinyl or thermoplastic rubber, the curve preferably has aradius of 0.094 inches. If the wall base member 1 is manufactured fromthermoset rubber, the curve preferably has a radius of 0.246 inches. Ifthe wall base member 1 is manufactured from thermoplastic vinyl orthermoplastic rubber, the area adjacent the top edge preferably tapersfrom 0.080 or 0.125 inches to 0.020 inches and the height of the taperedarea adjacent the top edge is preferably 0.051 inches. If the wall basemember 1 is manufactured from thermoset rubber, the area adjacent thetop edge 3 preferably tapers from 0.080 or 0.125 inches to 0.061 inchesand the height of the tapered area adjacent the top edge is preferably0.045 inches. If the wall base member 1 is made from thermoplasticmaterial, it preferably has 10 to 12 longitudinal ribs 16 per inch ofheight, the ribs 16 having a height of 0.005 to 0.007 inches. The wallbase member 1 preferably has a pair of longitudinal grooves 26 with anominal depth of 0.005 inches and a width of 0.094 inches. The preferredthermoplastic materials are flexible thermoplastic poly vinyl chlorideand flexible thermoplastic rubber. The preferred thermoset material isflexible thermoset rubber.

We claim:
 1. A method of forming a wall base member (1) and applyingsaid wall base member (1) to a wall (9), comprising the steps of: a.extruding along an extrusion vector (8) an elongated, flexible strip (2)to form a wall base member (1) having a top edge (3) and a bottom edge(4), an inner face (5) and an outer face (6), said top edge (3) and saidbottom edge (4) being mutually substantially parallel and substantiallyparallel to said extrusion vector (8); and b. downstream scoring saidstrip (2) to create a plurality of pre-scored grooves (7) in said innerface (5) running between and substantially perpendicular to said topedge (3) and said bottom edge (4); wherein at least one of saidpre-scored grooves (7) is closed adjacent at least one of said top edge(3) and said bottom edge (4) so that said pre-scored groove (7) is not achannel through said elongated, flexible strip (2), and said pre-scoredgroove does not open to said outer face (6) of said elongated, flexiblestrip; and c. applying said wall base member (1) to a wall (9), saidwall having at least two flat portions (24) and a corner (13), saidcorner having a substantially vertical elongated edge (14) that projectsbetween two flat portions (24) of said wall (9); wherein d. at least oneof said pre-scored grooves (7) is applied adjacent one of said flatportions (24) of said wall (9); and e. said wall base member (1) ishorizontally aligned so that one of said pre-scored grooves (7)interfaces with said edge (14) and said wall base member (1) is bent atsaid groove (7) defining a right angle (22) between portions of saidinner face (5) on either side of said groove (7), said pre-scored groove(7) having convergent sides (21) that meet when applied adjacent saidedge (14).
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves(7) contact no more than one of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge(4).
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7)contact neither of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4).
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: a. said inner face (5) is formed with aplurality of elongated raised ribs (16) that are between andsubstantially parallel to said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4). 5.The method of claim 1 wherein: a. said bottom edge (4) is coved tocreate a toe (20) so that said outer face (6) projects along said bottomedge (4); and b. said pre-scored grooves (7) terminate just beforereaching said top edge (3) and where said wall base member (1) begins tocove, at said toe (20).
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. saidpre-scored grooves (7) are machined into said inner face (5).
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7) are machinedwith a router (18).
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein: a. said pre-scoredgrooves (7) are machined with an endmill (19).
 9. The method of claim 8wherein: a. said wall base member (1) is formed primarily from athermoplastic material.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein: a. said wallbase member (1) is formed primarily from a thermoset material.
 11. Amethod of forming a wall base member (1) and applying said wall basemember (1) to a wall (9), comprising the steps of: forming an elongated,flexible strip (2) into a wall base member (1) having a top edge (3) anda bottom edge (4), an inner face (5) and an outer face (6), said topedge (3) and said bottom edge (4) being mutually substantially parallel,and a plurality of pre-scored grooves (7) in said inner face (5) runningbetween and substantially perpendicular to said top edge (3) and saidbottom edge (4); wherein at least one of said pre-scored grooves (7) isclosed adjacent at least one of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge(4) so that said pre-scored groove (7) is not a channel through saidelongated, flexible strip (2), and said pre-scored groove does not opento said outer face (6) of said elongated, flexible strip; and b.applying said wall base member (1) to a wall (9), said wall having atleast two flat portions (24) and a corner (13), said corner having asubstantially vertical elongated edge (14) that projects between twoflat portions (24) of said wall (9); wherein c. at least one of saidpre-scored grooves (7) is applied adjacent one of said flat portions(24) of said wall (9); and d. said wall base member (1) is horizontallyaligned so that one of said pre-scored grooves (7) interfaces with saidedge (14) and said wall base member (1) is bent at said groove (7)defining a right angle (22) between portions of said inner face (5) oneither side of said groove (7), said pre-scored groove (7) havingconvergent sides (21) that meet when applied adjacent said edge (14).12. The method of claim 11 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7)contact no more than one of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4).13. The method of claim 12 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7)contact neither of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4).
 14. Themethod of claim 11 wherein: a. said inner face (5) is formed with aplurality of elongated raised ribs (16) that are between andsubstantially parallel to said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4).15. The method of claim 11 wherein: a. said bottom edge (4) is coved tocreate a toe (20) so that said outer face (6) projects along said bottomedge (4); and b. said pre-scored grooves (7) terminate just beforereaching said top edge (3) and where said wall base member (1) begins tocove, at said toe (20).
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein: a. said wallbase member (1) is formed primarily from a thermoset material.
 17. Amethod of forming a wall base member (1) and applying said wall basemember (1) to a wall (9), comprising the steps of: a. molding (8) anelongated, flexible strip (2) into a wall base member (1) having a topedge (3) and a bottom edge (4), an inner face (5) and an outer face (6),said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4) being mutually substantiallyparallel; and b. scoring said strip (2) to create a plurality ofpre-scored grooves (7) in said inner face (5) running between andsubstantially perpendicular to said top edge (3) and said bottom edge(4); wherein at least one of said pre-scored grooves (7) is closedadjacent at least one of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4) sothat said pre-scored groove (7) is not a channel through said elongated,flexible strip (2), and said pre-scored groove does not open to saidouter face (6) of said elongated, flexible strip; and c. applying saidwall base member (1) to a wall (9), said wall having at least two flatportions (24) and a corner (13), said corner having a substantiallyvertical elongated edge (14) that projects between two flat portions(24) of said wall (9); wherein d. at least one of said pre-scoredgrooves (7) is applied adjacent one of said flat portions (24) of saidwall (9); and e. said wall base member (1) is horizontally aligned sothat one of said pre-scored grooves (7) interfaces with said edge (14)and said wall base member (1) is bent at said groove (7) defining aright angle (22) between portions of said inner face (5) on either sideof said groove (7), said pre-scored groove (7) having convergent sides(21) that meet when applied adjacent said edge (14).
 18. The method ofclaim 17 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7) contact no more thanone of said top edge (3) and said bottom edge (4).
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7) contact neither of saidtop edge (3) and said bottom edge (4).
 20. The method of claim 17wherein: a. said inner face (5) is formed with a plurality of elongatedraised ribs (16) that are between and substantially parallel to said topedge (3) and said bottom edge (4).
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein:a. said bottom edge (4) is coved to create a toe (20) so that said outerface (6) projects along said bottom edge (4); and b. said pre-scoredgrooves (7) terminate just before reaching said top edge (3) and wheresaid wall base member (1) begins to cove, at said toe (20).
 22. Themethod of claim 17 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7) are machinedinto said inner face (5).
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein: a. saidpre-scored grooves (7) are machined with a router (18).
 24. The methodof claim 22 wherein: a. said pre-scored grooves (7) are machined with anendmill (19).
 25. The method of claim 17 wherein: a. said wall basemember (1) is formed primarily from a thermoset material.